cour·age /ˈkərij/ noun
The ability to do something that frightens one.
What is the first image that pops into your head when you hear the word courage? Is it perhaps the lion from the "Wizard of Oz," ormaybe a middle-aged woman fighting stage III breast cancer?
The kind of courage that often gets overlooked is what I like to call "out-of-state courage." Out-of-state courage is the ability to fearlessly walk into uncharted territory, with no regrets of where the future may lead you. In life, there will be two kinds of people: doers, and watchers. In this particular circumstance, doers are the out-of-state students. Friends you may leave behind can only imagine what it's like to miss family whilst being away from home, but they will truly never experience it.
10 things no one told you about moving out-of-state:
1. Climate Preference
For example, in Kansas, 50 degrees means break out the shorts and sandals: Spring has arrived. However, if you travel to California, you might be ridiculed for wearing shorts in the winter time. Be prepared to hear, "Aren't you cold?" It might be pretty amusing acclimatizing to natives 'definition of "ideal weather."
2. Traffic
You might be shocked to find the enormous/little amount of traffic. If you're moving from a small town to an urban lifestyle, expect longer traveling time. Which means leaving 30 minutes earlier instead of five minutes earlier. The local doughnut shop is not up the block anymore. Whatever you do, remember to breathe! Don't let obnoxious drivers, honking horns, or six-lane free-ways intimidate you. You got this.
3. S-L-A-N-G
Words that you swore you'd never use will most likely slip out after being in your new state after a few months. If you find yourself now saying: bro, rad, gnarly, y'all, son, hella, dope, bae or dude too often, its official: your new friends are rubbing off on you.
4. Roommates
Your experience with roommates may vary from your peers. A roommate does not have to wind up being your best friend, but if you are lucky enough to come across a bestie, ENJOY! Go into the school year with an open mind. He/she was raised different then you, so be mindful of shared space. Being forced to live with new people exposes you to new methods of communication. Sometimes it is necessary to be confrontational. Confrontation is not always a bad thing. If you are having issues with a roomie constantly touching your things, tell them!
5. Acquaintances
The girl who you hung out with you the first two weeks of school is probably not going to be your BFFL. It'll probably be the girl you judged while accidentally mistaking her to be conceited. You will meet a lot of temporary people this year.
6. Developing an Appreciation for Your Home State
Before moving, you might have wished you were from another state. Now that you are away, you have developed a deep appreciation for your home state. When people ask you, "Do you like your home state or your new out-of-state better?" The answer is rather complex. It is almost like comparing oranges and apples. One thing you will now do is unapologetically embrace your roots.
7. F-O-E (Family Over Everything)
Saying goodbye to your family will be the hardest thing you have done in your life. For 18 years, the cooking, cleaning, and anything else you could possibly imagine was done for you. It is now time for you to grow up and do it yourself. You will survive. During this time, it is okay to be vulnerable and to open up to other out-of-state students, because they feel the exact same way you do. Trust me, take my advice. Says the girl who had a mental break-down during lecture. But who was there to pick her up with encouraging words? Her other out-of-state friends.
8. Home Sickness
It happens to the best of us. Sometimes you might not even realize you are homesick until someone asks you, "What's wrong?" or until you find yourself completely isolated. You will have good days and bad days. It might be a song, the smell of a person, or something said that triggers memories of home. However, remember to always FaceTime, Skype, text, and call your loved ones.
9. Comfort Zone
Plenty of moments will be filled with awkward silence or not knowing what to say next. Pretending to be on your phone will not always "save you." You will just have to ride the waves of awkwardness. You might find yourself in new situations you have never experienced before, but this will be a great time in your life to grow and learn more about yourself.
10. Visiting During Winter/Summer Break
The town that you once adored has outgrown your new-found interest. Visiting over holiday break feels peculiar, because you realize it is just a break. It's not home anymore. You might have also outgrown your high school friends as well. Going to the hookah house every week is not fun. Neither is late-night trips to Wally World, a.k.a Wal-Mart.
So if you are having your doubts about moving far away from home, just do it. Have the courage to do something that scares you. Yes, it will be difficult at first, but MAN WILL IT BE WORTH IT.
